Nigeria: Fashola in Fresh Investment Drive to Lekki

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), is set to launch a fresh investment drive that will stir more investment into the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ) in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

The latest effort is the hosting of a one-day joint investment forum and 10-day Eko Expo 2012 aimed at showcasing investment potentials of the state at the Lekki Free Zone.

The twin event titled: "Lekki Free Zone Investment Forum and Eko Expo 2012" is being put together by the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Lekki Free Zone Development Company, LFZDC.

It is expected to be attended by investors who play in the key sectors of the economy across Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, United States and China. While the investment forum will hold on Friday, August 3, 2012, the Eko Expo 2012 will run from the same day till Sunday, August 12, 2012 between the hours of 10am and 5pm daily at the Lekki Free Zone in Tiye Town, Ibeju-Lekki.

Lekki Free Zone, a 30-square kilometre project, is an exclusive investment and development joint venture of the China-Africa Lekki Investment Limited, Lagos State Government and Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited.

It aims to boost inflow of new investments in diverse sectors not just into the Lagos economy but the national economy targeting the manufacturing, industrial, commercial, infrastructure development and financial services sector among others.

Announcing the details of the investment forum and Eko Expo 2012, Managing Director of Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Chen Xiaoxing said the event will open on Friday 3 with Fashola playing the role of the Chief Host.

He will also give an opening speech while the Minister for Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga is the Special Guest of Honour. The Minister is expected to speak on "Free Zones as Catalyst for Economic Growth."

Xiaoxing added that a number of other speakers lined up for the Investment Forum include the Chinese Consul-General in Nigeria who will speak on China-Nigeria Trade Cooperation while the Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Sina Agboluaje will discuss "The Role of NEPZA as an Interface between FZEs and other Government Agencies Administering the One-Stop Service Centre".

Representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as well as Stanbic IBTC Bank will also make useful presentations that will assist potential investors take informed decisions about investing in the Lekki Free Zone.

Another significant element of the investment drive is the sharing of testimonials by Registered Enterprises who have already invested in the Lekki Free Zone and whose success stories will inspire other investors to make similar investment decisions.

Xiaoxing while expressing delight at the upcoming Investment Forum cum Eko Expo said the decision of both the state government and the Honourable Minister for Trade and Investment to support the marketing of investment opportunities in the Lekki Free Zone, underscores the seriousness government attaches to efforts to power the growth of the domestic economy with the free zones.

Xiaoxing further disclosed that the key message Lekki Free Zone Development Company will be presenting to prospective investors at the event will be the unfettered opportunities to do their businesses in a free zone. "This is one investment destination that smart investors will find very economically appealing to put their money, and we beckon on investors from Nigeria and across the world to come and take maximum advantage of the opportunities we will be unfolding. This is one investment decision anyone can bank on. We have a tested project team and a governor who says what he means and who means what he says. We are set to deliver a world class free zone in Nigeria," he said.

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